3 posts tagged “movie”
What's important is just how good this story is. It's the story of the former bass player of the pre-punk superstars 'The New York Dolls'. His downfall, his saving moments and an answered prayer. It's good story telling of a good story. Can't say that enough about docs unfortunately.
And, as a bonus, if you're a Christian, it's doubly poignant, I think.
enjoy.
The performances are phenomenal and like many have said, the solo by Jennifer Hudson really grabs you. What I found remarkable was the angles they chose to shoot this scene. There are some medium wide shots during this emotion song that really set her in a place in the frame where you can sense the tragedy that is going to befall her because of her simple humaness. I don't want to say mediocrity or normalcy, but just the framing is setting her in a way that is mundane, and you know that's what's headed her way. She has left he Dreamettes and now this is what's before her. She's just going to be another person. A less thoughtful director would have discounted this angle, with her bare legs and flat feet, but this angle is the backbone of the scene.
The lighting and camera work were A+, if I saw any mistakes beyond a camera shadow in a dolly shot, I don't recall it.
FLOG- Really just thoughts for me that I'm sharing. Not to be read as any sort of 'film writing' or criticism.
Bresson does it again. It's a shame that this filmmaker is so well known to critics and scholars and filmschool kids (sometimes) and not to more film story lovers. Anyway, again camera movement that's decades ahead of it's time, tight, complex moves that keep the focus on the hero. Contrasty lighting, big sources. Again, the focus is always on the hero. It's a simple story - a man imprisoned in a German jail plans to escape. What makes this such a good movie is how well Bresson keeps us focused on the story of the escape. It's been done a hundred times since, but here, we never leave his face.
My ability to complete a coherent thought is leaving me. He keeps us focused on the moral dilemmas as well as the physical risks involved. He has us asking "what's going to happen next?" when we know that all he's going to try to do is escape. It's really great minimalist story telling. Writers of all kind would be wise to watch and learn. I'm impressed.
